Domain name expired-how long until available

[lapunluyang]

Hello folks,

Wanted to know how long a registrar can hold a name after it has expired and not been reregistered. One of my competitors has closed shop and the name is now expired since 3/4/05 but it is still tied up and I don't want to make it cost more by letting someone know I am trying to buy it. (Hope to capture any of their old customers who may have bookmarked the site or any listing remaining on the web, some directory listing still there.)

Thanks for any info you may have on this subject.

[Catherine]

As far as I know, it takes 90 days for a domain name to be available for registration if the domain owner does not renew the domain name. Therefore, you will have to wait until the domain name is available for registration and you can then register it.

[cooolguy]

In my knowldedge, 3 months is avalialbe from the date of expired for renew.... If you forgot to renew within that 3 months your domain will be lost your domain name.......